NBA Offseason Thread.

[vinsanity]

Kobe only cares about being considered great. It's taken him a long time to realize that he can only achieve greatness in the context of his team's success, and for long stretches of his career, he was willing to sacrifice winning to be considered the man. Being the alpha was so important to him that he squandered who knows how many championships. Jordan never would have done that.

Fair enough, I agree on the rest of the stuff you said (no need to clog the page with quotes).

But I guess this is why I don't think LeBron wants to go play with Phil or play as a Bull. If he doesn't have that killer instinct to always win, and win 6 consecutive titles and trim the fat from his roster, why would he want to wear the same jersey of a guy who can't live up to? Kobe's not in Chicago so people don't look as closely at him to see what you just pointed at. Kobe came in to the league to wear 8. He wanted to wear 33, but Kareem had it. Now he's 24. You could argue he wants to 'one up Jordan', but who really knows?

LeBron wears 23, he's inviting enough of a Jordan comparison as it is without wearing a Bulls jersey - and he's gettin [expletive] on for it. I don't think it's a good idea for him to go there. I think he should either stay in Cleveland or maybe check out Dallas. Cuban has that killer instinct to always 'win'. Could help LeBron find it. I don't think NJ is bad, or NY if he really wants. I'd love to see him come to Indy and play for Bird too (but just cause then I could see him play...).

[StL Dan]

i'm beyond the whole thing where the next great player is called 'the next jordan'.

to me, lebron is what he is

he can be as successful as he wants to be and this generation will probably refer to james and bryant as the best players of the 2000 - 2015 era

[thrill]

Kobe's not in Chicago so people don't look as closely at him to see what you just pointed at.

Kobe was a phone call away from coming to Chicago but had a last minute change of heart a few years ago. Rather, Jerry Buss had a last minute change of heart and got him paid. It's interesting how the two "next Jordan's" have flirted with the Bulls. I'm guessing it has nothing to do with Michael and everything to do with Reinsdorf knowing how much money he can make with that kind of player.

LeBron wears 23, he's inviting enough of a Jordan comparison as it is without wearing a Bulls jersey - and he's gettin [expletive] on for it.

I like how he changes his number from 23 to 6 out or "respect for Jordan's legacy" and then changes it to Bill Russell's number. Just say you want to sell jerseys, dude.

[vinsanity]

LeBron wears 23, he's inviting enough of a Jordan comparison as it is without wearing a Bulls jersey - and he's gettin [expletive] on for it.

I like how he changes his number from 23 to 6 out or "respect for Jordan's legacy" and then changes it to Bill Russell's number. Just say you want to sell jerseys, dude.

Or it's cause the Bulls have retired 23....

[Maclowery]

I want LeBron. I don't want Jackson. Meh. Damnit I don't want to try to like the guy! He's like Darth Vader to me!!!

You're a Bulls fan right?

And Jackson is like Vader to you?

Yes. He was a hero who fell to the evil empire. He's precisely like Darth Vader to me. He's coaching on one of my five least favorite teams in sports. I hope he abandons the dark side.

[lukethedrifter]

LeBron wears 23, he's inviting enough of a Jordan comparison as it is without wearing a Bulls jersey - and he's gettin [expletive] on for it.

I like how he changes his number from 23 to 6 out or "respect for Jordan's legacy" and then changes it to Bill Russell's number. Just say you want to sell jerseys, dude.

Or it's cause the Bulls have retired 23....

If the NBA didn't retire the number how is ^ relevant?

[vinsanity]

LeBron wears 23, he's inviting enough of a Jordan comparison as it is without wearing a Bulls jersey - and he's gettin [expletive] on for it.

I like how he changes his number from 23 to 6 out or "respect for Jordan's legacy" and then changes it to Bill Russell's number. Just say you want to sell jerseys, dude.

Or it's cause the Bulls have retired 23....

If the NBA didn't retire the number how is ^ relevant?

Sounds like he wants 23 to kind of be unwritten, but retired across the NBA. 'Hallowed'.

I was being sarcastic and saying maybe he just switched so he can have 'his' number in Chicago. It was mostly a joke (because he could switch without having to file paperwork if he switched teams). But maybe he's trying to downplay the Jordan comparison?

[thrill]

I think it means that at the time he thought he was either staying in Cleveland or going to Chicago. Chicago because it's retired and staying because since players get a cut of every jersey sold, it was a way to sell new jerseys to people who already have them.

[Maclowery]

If the Bulls don't snag LeBron, I would be almost as happy to get Bosh instead. Taj Gibson is cool, but I'd rather him come off the bench to spell a bad-ass frontcourt of Bosh/Noah.

Rose
James
Deng
Gibson
Noah

Rose
Heinrich
Deng
Bosh
Noah

Both are pretty awesome. In each case, the Bulls would probably need a nice 7th man (assuming in either team that the 6th man out, Heinrich or Gibson, would still get 25+ a game).


I should add something: I secretly hope we sign Bosh and somehow sign Ray Allen to a 2 year non-absurd $ , and let Heinrich/Gibson be a wicked 6 and 7th for us.

[vinsanity]

I think it means that at the time he thought he was either staying in Cleveland or going to Chicago. Chicago because it's retired and staying because since players get a cut of every jersey sold, it was a way to sell new jerseys to people who already have them.

FWIW I'd like to see him stay in Cleveland. I think the city and fans kind of deserve it. He won't be 'it' in Chicago or New York or LA. He's practically a God in Cleveland, and I think they could sign someone like Bosh or Amare and add a better PG. I might catch some flak for the latter, but I'm not sold on Mo yet. I feel like the entire offense is 'Give the ball to LeBron.' I could do that. I'm not a huge basketball fan by any means, so if I'm way off can someone correct me? And if I'm on target can someone make a compelling case for me?

Are there any PG's out there on FA market? (From what I can tell Nash is a FA, but has a team option. The options get really thin after that).